Three successive Australian State of the Environment reports on Human Settlements (Newton, 2006) have revealed an escalating pattern of urban consumption that should now be classed as unsustainable both locally and globally. Ecological footprints of what are seen as Australia's highly liveable capital cities (The Economist Intelligence Unit, 2004), if translated globally, would necessitate 4-planet living (Environment Planning Authority, 2007). The level per capita greenhouse gas emissions from urban Australia and fossil fuel exports also represent a significant contribution to global; warming and climate change. The reputation that Australian cities have attained for liveability does not equate to their sustainability. [Introduction]